“Is it Commerce?”: Dehumanization in the Framing of Refugees as Resources

The idea that “refugees are resources” has been promoted as countering the dehumanization frames refugees burdens or security threats. But is framing people resources truly humanizing? Resource theorists have highlighted how modern Western conceptions of what depends on a distinction between human and non-human. This logic similar to, originates in same epoch as, hierarchies humanity. State appraisal management mobility continue to be shaped by race perceptions productive value terms, just varies, always social political. intervention highlights perspective Burundian refugee Tanzania who traces continuities experiences being called resource—in resource can sold traded across borders with no input into its future. Refugees do meaningfully contribute communities countries which they live, but “resources” lens curtails humanizing refugees’ lives.